Rare 1946 AJS motorcycle sells for world record price

A rare 1940s motorcycle has sold for over $500,000 at the latest Bonham’s Summer Stafford Sale, with the auction realising a total of over $6.5million.

The 1946 AJS 497cc E90 ‘Porcupine’ Grand Prix racing motorcycle was purchased for £293,250, setting a new world record for that particular model.

Previously owned by post-war AJS works rider Ted Frend, the bike was one of just four examples built by the British firm for its works team. It was purchased in dismantled condition from the estate of the late rider in 2006 by friend Ken Senior, who oversaw the bike’s rebuild.

The E90 is considered a ‘Holy Grail’ of classic racing motorcycles, and was dubbed the ‘Porcupine’ by the era’s motorcycle press for its distinctive spiked ‘head’ finning.

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The model was also the first to win the 500cc World Championship when the series made its debut in 1949. That title was won by Frend’s teammate Les Graham, and it was AJS’s only world championship. The E90 also remains the sole twin-cylinder machine to have won motorcycle racing’s flagship series.

Other notable machines sold in the Bonham’s auction were a Brough Superior SS100 1000cc Supercharged Special recreation built by engineer Ewan Cameron as well as a 1914 Brough 497cc Model H offered from the National Motorcycle Musuem. That pair sold for £126,500 and £103,500 respectively.

The auction achieved a 98% sell-through rate with other highlights including a 1973 MV Agusta 750S (£81,650), 1937 Brough Superior 1096cc 11-50 and Petro-tube sidecar (£78,200) and a 1954 Vincent 998cc Series-C Black Shadow (£54,000). A 1973 Norton Commander 850 Roadster owned by the family of late musician Keith Emerson also sold for £12,650.